State Sen. James Malone and local officials in Lancaster County urged the Senate to pass data center moratorium legislation.
Haley O'Brien / WITF
As data centers expand, Lancaster County officials call for a pause and more local control
State Sen. James Malone and local officials are urging the Pa. Senate to pass legislation giving municipalities time to develop rules for regulating data centers.
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Haley O'Brien/WITF
Haley O'Brien / WITF
State Sen. James Malone and local officials in Lancaster County urged the Senate to pass data center moratorium legislation.
State Sen. James Malone and Lancaster County officials are urging the Pennsylvania Senate to return to Harrisburg and pass legislation that would allow municipalities to pause development data center development.
During a news conference Thursday in West Hempfield Township, Malone, a democrat, said local governments need time to set ordinances to regulate the rapidly growing industry.
“We’re here today to demand that local communities be given the power to protect themselves and make their own development decisions,” he said.
Malone and local officials from Lancaster County expressed support for SB 1345 and HB 2496, which would give municipalities the option to temporarily stop development on data centers.
“The technology is advancing far more rapidly than local officials’ ability to gather information, understand the potential impact, and develop effective policies and controls,” said Heather Zink, a member of Columbia Borough Council.
Public opposition to data centers has significantly grown in the last year. A poll from earlier this summer showed 74% of Pennsylvania voters say they oppose data centers.
Lancaster County currently has three data centers currently operating or in development.
Malone said the two newest proposed data centers in Lancaster City were approved without proper regulation.
“There was no local zoning law that properly defined them before they were approved under the category of warehouse. It’s obvious to anyone that these are not warehouses. These are large, complex server centers that require special considerations and protections for local residents.”
The house bill would allow municipalities to place a 180-day pause on data center applications. The senate bill is similar, providing an optional 18-month moratorium.
Both bills are awaiting action by the senate.
The group urged Senate leaders to call lawmakers back for a vote before the next scheduled session day Sept. 28 because they say the industry is growing too quickly.
“We‘re literally right now all across the commonwealth, not just in our county… forcing this mad dash to a solution without the necessary time to really consider the results and the ramifications,” Malone said.
Manheim Township Commissioner Carol Gifford said the board recently began reviewing its zoning ordinance to add data center language.
“We need the time to continue this process. It can take several months to update local ordinances. At each step, we want to involve our local community members. This means giving them time,” she said.
The group expressed concerns about noise, water consumption and an increased demand for power.
“With the raising costs of housing, gas, groceries, families cannot afford to get hit over and over with utility rate increases,” Malone said. “Data centers have significant impact on local communities and local communities deserve to have the power over these projects.“
The Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) standards, established by Gov. Josh Shapiro this year, set standards that a developer must meet before submitting an application.
Malone said Shapiro’s GRID standards set a good baseline, but he wants local municipalities to put their own regulations in place first.
“While the Governor does his part, the Pennsylvania Senate must act to strengthen local control,” he said.
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